2015 Ford F-150 Gas Mileage

The Ford F-150 full-size pickup is the best-selling single nameplate in the U.S. market, so any changes to Ford's premier truck mean a lot.

Buyers, dealers, and the whole industry are paying close attention to information about the next generation 2015 Ford F-150, the first all-new design of Ford's truck since the 2009 model.And fuel efficiency will be one of the most closely-watched specifications.This year, the new best combined gas-mileage for large pickup trucks is 20 mpg--achieved by versions of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado C15 and the 2014 Ram 1500.While Ford lags behind, at 18 mpg combined, it's clear the company will want to meet--and more likely beat--the 20-mpg figure, targeting a combined gas-mileage rating for the best model of its new 2015 F-150 to 21 mpg or higher, possibly as high as 23 mpg.

The company is known to be using much more aluminum in the next F-150, though recent rumors say quality problems in getting acceptable panel quality could delay the new F-150's production launchfrom six to 10 weeks.

Thus far, there's been no indication that Ford plans to debut the new F-150 pickup truck at the next Detroit Auto Show, which opens to the press three weeks from today.That could depend on whether Ford can get the alleged problems resolved and keep the truck on track for a summer launch.

Reducing drag

Other likely fuel-saving technologies include active grille shutters (already used on the current Ram pickup), retractable running boards, and a front air dam that can be extended at speed to reduce aerodynamic drag.Last January, Ford showed these features plus an additional innovation--active wheel shutters--on the Ford Atlas Concept pickup truck, its main concept vehicle at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show.Read More